“The PS had decided to make us fall at all costs” | EUROtoday

On Apr 6, 2025

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IL is not a minister, however his agenda remains to be effectively loaded. When we provide him this assembly, Antoine Armand readily accepts, however struggles to seek out us a date. Only area of interest obtainable: a breakfast close to the meeting. Including act. The elected official provides an appointment in a Parisian bistro, a little bit away from the Palais-Bourbon, the place he used to go there when parliamentary periods stretch.

An espresso and a tea ordered for him, an elongated espresso for us, and the dialogue begins. Retrospective obliges, the primary questions concern this shock appointment, seven months earlier, to some of the vital positions within the State.

At the time, the 33 -year -old enarque, all the identical chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee within the National Assembly, refined his future parliamentary agenda. Yet conversant in Michel Barnier, a Savoyard like him and that he has recognized for a number of years, Antoine Armand doesn’t think about a second the proposal that will probably be made to him. Until the day when, on the transfer on the Livestock Fair in Rennes, he sees the title of the previous Brexit negotiator seem on his smartphone. “When he offers me the economy, of course there is vertigo,” acknowledges the great-grandson of Louis Armand, resistant and director of the SNCF (1955-1958).

A 99 -day mission

In one name, the machine is launched. And the steamroller with. Between the mass of day by day info, political strain and negotiations with a view to adopting the state price range, “every day, you age by ten years,” mentioned the elected official with a contact of nostalgia within the voice. By remembering the assorted journeys made throughout these three months, the thirty -something doesn’t disguise an enormous smile.

However, the mission was not apparent. The slip of the general public deficit, estimated on the time at 6.1 % of GDP – lastly evaluated at 5.8 % – is a ball that the manager should carry. “You will see Bercy in a clean life, we are the most exposed,” mentioned Bruno Le Maire, his predecessor for seven years, when the switch of energy.

Responsible for defending an austerity price range with greater than 60 billion euros to seek out, the Barnier authorities makes the discount of the deficit its principal precedence. Right as on the left, the dangers of censorship are vital, however the authorities retains its course. Until December 4, 2024. 99 days after his appointment, the manager was overthrown by the second movement of censorship within the historical past of the V^e Republic. The finish of an journey for Antoine Armand. “I totally agreed with Michel Barnier’s desire to reduce our public spending as a priority,” he mentioned 4 months later.

Recognizing to have been capable of take part in such a mission, the previous Minister of the Economy doesn’t, nevertheless, disguise a contact of bitterness. “The Socialist Party, under the moral direction of François Hollande, decided to make us fall at all costs,” he regrets earlier than entrusting “at the time, they had told us:” We will censor you, no matter occurs. ” In reality, no discussion was possible. »»

I am rather liberal sovereignistAntoine Armand

For the macronist, it is enough to see the budget voted under the Bayrou government, “little or prou the identical as ours”, to understand the political tilting at work. Between fracture and anesthesia, there has been an inability to approach the subjects that hurt. “We are witnessing the return of the outdated world, the events are combating extra for symbols than for the concrete wants of the French,” deplores the deputy of Haute-Savoie.

But time is no longer to dwell on the past. Faced with us, Antoine Armand looks out and does not deviate from his economic vision. “I’m slightly sovereignist liberal,” he explains. In favor, at the national level, of increased aid to companies and targeted economies, the elected official calls for more economic sovereignties at the borders of France and Europe. The recent taxation of customs taxes on the whole world by Donald Trump is just an additional argument.

“Our companions should notice who we’re,” thinks the one who defines himself as a proeuropian. “Today, if we criticize Europe, we rock in the Antieuropian camp. On the contrary, the best service is not to pretend everything was going well in order to improve, ”he added to disburse the need to start the old continent.

Candidate in 2026?

After having died several minutes on geopolitical and European news, return to France. And more specifically in Haute-Savoie. Seven months earlier, anxious not to lock yourself in the corridors of the 7th^e Floor of Bercy, the Savoyard went there regularly to avoid disconnecting from reality.

To uncover

The kangaroo of the day

Answer

Since then, the water has flowed below the bridges, and the elected official now cultivates hypothesis about his want to run for the headquarters of Annecy in 2026. This Friday, April 4, the deputy launched, with greater than 100 signatures, his manifest collective of Annecy actors to succeed in a candidacy in 2026. “This city is the sum of several vital and deep things for me and I wish to play a role there,” he provides us with out revealing extra …

But confronted with nationwide political blocking, Antoine Armand admits increasingly more appreciating the native degree. “It makes sense, we have to accept anchoring, long time, show modesty and, at the same time, we really feel the impact that we can have,” he rejoices. While the Renaissance celebration, after its failure in 2020, is regularly returning to the race for the municipal elections, revealing its technique with drops, Antoine Armand hopes to see a very good omen. “Many of my colleagues are consulted and contribute to the discussions, I hope that we’ll achieve crossing a course within the native institution. »»

https://www.lepoint.fr/politique/antoine-armand-le-ps-avait-decide-de-nous-faire-tomber-a-tout-prix-05-04-2025-2586563_20.php